Through blurry eyes and soft sniffles, Jimmy Herchek fixes his famous sandwiches one last time since opening Herchek, 1050 W. Meeting St., 29 years ago.
Deciding to retire after putting in 44 years of labor into convenience stores, Thursday, June 10, Herchek said it was a time for change.
Learning the famous egg salad recipe from his mother, Dot Herchek and chicken salad recipe from Gail Gillis, Herchek began fixing sandwiches drawing in large crowds from the community back in 1986.
“I thank each and everyone of you for continual support throughout the years and my family for making sacrifices during my weekend work,” Herchek said.
Serving the people of Lancaster, Herchek served faithfully behind the lunch counter five days a week from …show more content…
A three-time-a-week regular, for Herchek's delicious chicken salad sandwich and BLT, Tim Boling said he will continue to come after Herchek's departure if the food is the same.
“I've known Jimmy since 1973,” Boling said. “He's like an icon leader around here with great food and a nice spirit. I've been coming here for so long, I can remember when this place didn't have tables.
And although the store didn't have tables, after Hurricane Hugo hit in the late 1980s, Herchek was the only store after the storm to have power, gas and ice.
“Because of our close proximity to Spring's Memorial Hospital, we were still an open store,” Herchek said. “We were supplied with ice and gas so people were able to come in and get free coffee and free baby formula.”
Such reasons why, people in the community are sad to see “Ole Jimmy” …show more content…
Huddled in a four seat booth near the freezer, Spring's Memorial workers ordered a pimenta cheese, BLT and chicken salad sandwiches after grabbing chips and a drink while on lunch break.
“We're really going to miss this,” Lori Johnson said.
“He has the best BLT.”
“No, he has the best pimenta cheese,” Pam Blackmon said.
“I think his chicken salad sandwich is better,” Lisa Roddey said.
Although, none could agree on the perfect sandwich, they all decided that Herchek is a fun place to come during lunch time.
“You can't find a place like this anywhere,” Blackmon said. “People grew up coming here for lunch,” Johnson said. “We come here more than just to eat lunch, the atmosphere is always good too,” Roddey said.
Agreeing with the trio, Lorrie Murray is sad to see Herchek leave after spending 15 years at the lunch counter with him and Catoe.
“I eat lunch here every day I work at the Health Department,” Murray said. “But this place isn't just about the food. It's about seeing friends because you can't get a place like this anymore. This is the last lunch counter in Lancaster county, so with Jimmy leaving, it's like an end of an era and I'm sure everyone in here wants him to